Agglomerated MIP Clusters

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composite material obtainable by agglomerating molecularly imprinted polymer particles, and the use of said composite material in separations such as chromatographic separation, a filtration process, continuous or discontinuous membrane process, analytical separation, or a preparative or large-scale separation.

1 . A composite material obtainable by agglomerating molecularly imprinted polymer particles, wherein said MIP particles are pre-formed prior to being agglomerated. 
     
     
         2 . A composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said composite material is obtainable by forming an agglomerate of MIP particles, wherein said agglomerate of MIP particles is formed by:
 a) encapsulation of MIP particles by forming a shell around at least two MIP particles, or   b) interlinking of MIP particles by forming a chemical bond between at least two MIP particles using an inter-linkage agent, or   c) entrapment of MIP particles by copolymerizing MIP particles in the presence of monomers and optionally solvents.   
     
     
         3 . A composite material according to  claim 2 , wherein said inter-linkage agent is selected from linear or branched molecules having terminal functionalities with the abilities to couple to said MIP particles. 
     
     
         4 . A composite material according to  claim 2 , wherein said shell is formed by using polystyrene, agarose or alginate as an encapsulation agent. 
     
     
         5 . A composite material according to  claim 3 , wherein said terminal functionalities are selected from the group consisting of acid chlorides, anhydrides, isocyanate, azides or epoxides. 
     
     
         6 . A composite material according to  claim 2  wherein said composite material is obtained in-situ. 
     
     
         7 . A composite material according to  claim 2 , wherein said composite material is obtained in a suspension process. 
     
     
         8 . A composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said MIP particles have a diameter of less than 10 μm. 
     
     
         9 . A composite material according to  claim 2 , wherein residual polymerizable functionalities in said agglomerate of MIP particles are copolymerized with at least one monomer. 
     
     
         10 . A composite material according  claim 9 , wherein said monomers are selected from the group consisting of vinylic, acrylic and methacrylic monomers and cross-linking monomers. 
     
     
         11 . A composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said agglomerates of MIP particles are beads. 
     
     
         12 . A composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said agglomerates of MIP particles include at least one of filters, membranes, layers, hollow tubes or fibers. 
     
     
         13 . A composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said agglomerates of MIP particles are in the size range from 5 to 5000 μm. 
     
     
         14 . A composite material according to  claim 13 , wherein said agglomerates of MIP particles are in the size range from 10 to 1000 μm. 
     
     
         15 . Use of a composite material according to  claim 1 , in a chromatographic separation, a filtration process, continuous or discontinuous membrane process, analytical separation, or a preparative or large-scale separation. 
     
     
         16 . Use of a composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein the composite material is used as a packing material in chromatographic columns. 
     
     
         17 . A composite material according to  claim 2 , wherein said MIP particles have a diameter of less than 10 μm. 
     
     
         18 . A composite material according  claim 2 , wherein said monomers are selected from the group consisting of vinylic, acrylic and methacrylic monomers and cross-linking monomers. 
     
     
         19 . A composite material according to  claim 1 , wherein said MIP particles are obtained by: a) providing monomers, template, crosslinker and an initiator in a solvent; b) polymerizing the mixture obtained in a); and c) removing the template obtaining said MIP particles. 
     
     
         20 . A composite material according to  claim 2 , wherein said MIP particles are obtained by: a) providing monomers, template, crosslinker and an initiator in a solvent; b) polymerizing the mixture obtained in a); and c) removing the template obtaining said MIP particles.